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National Justice Summit 2024: FG, International IDEA, others call For Reforms in judicial appointment processes
National Justice Summit 2024: FG, International IDEA, others call For Reforms in judicial appointment processes
•Summit seeks reduction of CJN’s powers
By: Michael Mike
Federal Ministry of Justice, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and other stakeholders in the nation’s judiciary have made far reaching recommendations that will address the issues of judicial appointment process, funding and eradicating delays in the administration of justice in Nigeria, at the just concluded two-day National Summit on Justice 2024.
The event was organised by the Federal Government in collaboration with the European Union funded RoLAC II Programme of the International IDEA.
In a communique issued at the end of the summit at the weekend, it was noted that the National Policy on Justice 2024 to 2028, will now serve as a roadmap, paving the way for a more efficient, equitable and responsive justice system for all Nigerians.
Chairman, Joint Planning Committee of the Justice Summit, Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, who read the communique, said the summit had three technical sessions.
Ajibade stated that the general consensus reached at the summit was that the role of the National Judicial Council in discharging its responsibility for judicial appointments into the Superior Court of record required significant review.
The stakeholders expressed concern about the fact that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the chairman of the NJC is also the chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the body that initially reviews proposals or lists of candidates by appointment into judicial office.
The summit pointed out the seeming inconsistency between the CJN playing both roles, as it would appear that he is recommending candidates to himself being chairman of both bodies, and being the person who appoints a significant number of the members of both bodies other than those who are statutory members.
There’s a general consensus by the summit on the need to reconstitute or propose reconstitution of both the NJC and the FJSC.
On the role of the State Judicial Service Commission in judicial appointmens, the summit concluded that there was a significant need to ensure that composition of the SJSC is more diverse, that it reflects the interests of the users of the justice sector.
Stakeholders noted the fact that the current NJC guidelines may have subverted the intent of the constitutional provision, empowering the SJSC to make judicial appointments, because the NJC guidelines, rather than authorising the SJSC to prepare a shortlist of potential candidates for judicial appointments, appear to address that responsibility solely in the Chairman (Chief Judges of States).
The summit therefore called for an amendment of the aspect of the NJC guidelines to make clear that the development or preparation of shortlist of candidates for judicial appointments is something that is to be done by the Commissions as a whole and not just by the Chief Judges.
On the general approach that ought to be taken to reforming the judicial appointments process, the summit stressed that focus should be on increased transparency in the appointment process, meritocracy and on meaningful performance evaluations of those who seek judicial office.
Also, it was recommended that Nigeria should consider the model that is currently being used in Kenya.
There was a consensus on the need to codify the judicial appointments process, such that the discretion that is currently witnessed in the appointments process is reduced to the barest minimum.
On funding, budgeting and administration for the judiciary, the summit resolved
that the current process for funding the courts was totally deficient as it was evident that the provisions of the Constitution as amended by the Fifth Amendment, authorising that funding for the State courts should be a joint effort carried out by the executive and the judiciary was not being implemented in any shape or form in the majority of the states.
Clear recommendations were made that this was something that needed to be pursued and dealt with decisively, as the summit stated that funding of the judiciary at the federal level is much better than what obtains in the States of the Federation.
More so, the summit observed the need to professionalise the administration of the courts, as well as to appoint persons with clear administrative experience to be selected through a transparent process to administer the courts, and to separate the administration of the courts from the administration of justice.
On eradicating delays in the administration of justice agenda for leveraging the rules of procedure and effective case management in Nigeria, the panel considered the importance of limiting the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and ensuring that matters that would go to the Supreme Court would only be matters of significant national importance.
The summit held that before a matter goes to apex court, it would only be by the leave of the Supreme Court, and that the automatic right of appeal to the will be severely curtailed and will be limited only to matters relating to the office and the election into the office of the president of the federation, Vice President and, and Governors of the States.
National Justice Summit 2024: FG, International IDEA, others call For Reforms in judicial appointment processes
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
By: Our Reporter
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, has inaugurated 39 mini-green Maria vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of inmates to courts during trials.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the commissioning took place at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The minister also unveiled four armoured security guard booths to protect correctional facilities from external aggression by non-state actors.
“The Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, today inaugurated four armored security guard booths at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters to enhance the defense of correctional facilities against external threats,” the statement reads.
“He also unveiled 39 mini-green Maria vehicles designed to ensure the secure transportation of inmates to court during trials. These efforts reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the safety and welfare of officers and inmates.
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
By: Mamman Mohammed
Since the news about the signing of the Damaturu fly over contract filtered the air, it attracted accolades in many quarters and of course, reservations in some quarters. This is very normal and usual with every human endeavour.
It is pertinent to note that His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, while presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, emphatically said “The widespread of road projects is intended to give a facelift and accessibility to our communities. Government is committed to the completion of the seventeen ongoing road projects, and to embark on eleven new ones. The completion of the township roads and drainages in five Local Government Areas is very dear to the government. I am also pleased to inform you that work would soon commence for the construction of the Damaturu flyover. We would also commence work on the Damaturu Green Economic City”.
Similarly, the budget allocated funds to other sectors to run simultaneously to improve the lives of the people without obstructing the execution of other projects and programmes in other sectors.
Importantly, the budget went through open process of careful and critical scrutiny, with Civil Society Organizations, individuals and groups in attendance.
Throughout the public sitting, none of the interest groups and individuals identified any project including the Damaturu flyover road as a misplacement of priority that would be at the expense of another, and as they may say, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
There is no doubt that the Damaturu flyover project will not only check the numerous congestion and accidents in the metropolis but, also beautify Damaturu, from a glorified local government headquarters to a beffiting state capital that is comparable to its peers, and a pride of every Yobean.
This takes us to the Muhammadu Buhari lnternational Cargo Airport as a reference point. When Gov. Buni took over the leadership of the state in 2019, there was an argument for and against the completion of the airport.
Many people described it as a wasteful project while others urged the new administration to ensure its completion. And when Gov. Buni finally announced the completion of the airport which was still at skeletal stage, it put such arguments to halt.
Gov. Buni’s argument was that, abandoning the project at that level would be a monumental loss to the state that would only attract untold inflation whenever any administration decides to complete the airport. Thanks to the wise decision, and the deep futuristic thinking by Governor Buni.
Today, the argument over the completion of the airport is now history. It is
completed and commissioned. It remains
one of the iconic legacy projects, with a very prosperous future to the state.
Already, some international investors have indicated interest in direct and indirect investments in the state. The Qatari business community and most recently, the Moroccan Investment, lmport and Export Development Agency, said the airport is a window to a fruitful economic partnership that would generate employment and wealth creation.
The same criticisms greeted the Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Kaduna and Jalingo flyovers.
Surprisingly, some characters who lauded the flyovers elsewhere have suddenly changed their positions with the Damaturu flyover.
As a known fact, there may be no single government project or programme that would generate100% support from the public, as everyone may have his opinion for or against such project.
We should always see such projects positively and support government in its development strides to make Damaturu a state capital that is in tune with the changing times.
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the release of Usman Daina, the Secretary of Munya Local Government Council, who was abducted by armed bandits.
Daina was freed unhurt following a sustained pursuit operation by security forces. However, authorities have stated that efforts are still ongoing to rescue other victims who remain in captivity and to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
Zagazola Makama had reported that On Feb. 21, 2025, heavily armed bandits launched an attack on Munya Local Government Area, abducting several residents, including the council secretary.
It was gathered that that the assailants moved from Chibani forest through the Shakwata axis before striking various communities, including the Dandaudu area of Munya LGA.
The attackers invaded homes, looted food supplies, and forcefully took away multiple victims.
Following the abduction, the Nigerian Army troops, police tactical teams, vigilantes, and other security forces were deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers.
Their aggressive pursuit led to the successful release of Daina, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining captives and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the attack.
Sources said that the security forces are currently conducting aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and ground raids on identified bandit hideouts in the region.
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
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